According to Fierce Wireless Broadband,
the FCC is busy today working on regulations that would require mobile
operators to either send out text messages or voice alerts when
customers reach their monthly data/voice limits. These regulations have
been long awaited by many and fueled by news articles of users that were hit with $5,000+ bills that typically run between $60-100 per month. FCC chairman Julias Genachowski said to The New York Times: "the data is clear that there is a significant consumer issue".

Verizon
Wireless, who is opposed to the bill, did agree that consumers should
have "access to clear information regarding their wireless usage." To
some degree, they already do - for example, Verizon's VZAccess Manager
software allows users to view their data usage, and customers can also
log in to their account online to view usage info. However, this info
isn't updated in real time and the delay between updates can certainly
add up (mobile broadband overages start at $0.05/mb on the 5GB plan;
per-minute overages on the voice side depend on your plan).
Additionally, many users don't understand what a "Megabyte" is, let
alone how to interpret their usage patterns and how it affects their
bill.

The FCC's proposal is aimed at protecting consumers from
opening their mail and finding a bill for thousands of dollars when they
perhaps didn't even know they were anywhere near their limit. Since
Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T introduced the 5GB allowance on their
mobile broadband plans, many in the EVDO Forums community have expressed
a desire for some sort of notification system from their carrier so
that they would know when they were getting close to their limit -
perhaps the FCC will finally grant their wish!Related Links: